Kelvin Grove vs Paddington: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Kelvin Grove and Paddington are both Brisbane City Council suburbs, sitting 2.7 km and 2.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kelvin Grove runs $314 a year cheaper than Paddington, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,599.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Kelvin Grove
Paddington
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Kelvin Grove | Paddington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $950 | $950 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $912 | $976 | -$64 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $1,950 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $5,500 | $3,500 | +$2,000 |
| Total (driving) | $5,462 | $5,776 | -$314 |
| Total (public transport) | $4,742 | $4,992 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Kelvin Grove | Paddington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Kelvin Grove vs Paddington (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kelvin Grove costs $314 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $3,599 in favour of Kelvin Grove.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $4,742 from Kelvin Grove versus $4,992 from Paddington.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $950 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kelvin Grove by $64 a year, $912 against $976.
- Building insurance favours Kelvin Grove by $250 a year, $1,700 against $1,950.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated medium in Kelvin Grove against low in Paddington, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated medium in Paddington against low in Kelvin Grove, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Kelvin Grove cumulative | Paddington cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $5,462 | $5,776 | $314 |
| Year 3 | $16,882 | $17,853 | $971 |
| Year 5 | $28,998 | $30,666 | $1,668 |
| Year 10 | $62,616 | $66,215 | $3,599 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kelvin Grove or Paddington cheaper to live in?
Kelvin Grove is cheaper to run by car at $5,462 per year versus $5,776 for Paddington, a difference of $314 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Kelvin Grove and Paddington?
Annual council rates for a house are $950 in Kelvin Grove (Brisbane City Council) and $950 in Paddington (Brisbane City Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Kelvin Grove and $1,900 in Paddington. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Kelvin Grove and Paddington?
Annual driving commute costs are $912 from Kelvin Grove and $976 from Paddington to Brisbane CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Kelvin Grove and $192 from Paddington.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Kelvin Grove and Paddington?
At 3% annual cost growth, Kelvin Grove costs a cumulative $62,616 and Paddington costs $66,215 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,599 in favour of Kelvin Grove. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Kelvin Grove and Paddington is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Brisbane City Council and Brisbane City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.